Q. When you finally won and you lifted your hands to the sky, what were you thinking?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, many things. I play one of the epic match of my career here in the US Open, which is my favorite tournament, in front of a great crowd. I got exhausted after the last point of the match. That's what I did with my hands, looking the sky.
But I'm so glad to go through. I'm play a fantastic battle against one of the best players of the tour.
Q. The fan support was very visible. Everyone was backing you in the crowd. How much did that mean to you and carry you through a comeback like that?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: It was very important because I was trying to retire the match in the second set. Then I saw the crowd waiting for more tennis, waiting for my good forehands, good serves. I took all that energy to change in a good way and think about fight and not retire.
I did well, and I start to enjoy little bit more about the fans. I think I did everything well after the third set. The crowd enjoy with me all points. It was unbelievable atmosphere.
Q. Why do you think people love you so much?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I don't know (smiling). I think the people loves my effort to come back and play tennis. They know what have been through with all my wrist problems. They like one guy who never give ups, and he's trying to play tennis.
You can see my backhand is not good enough yet, but I'm still trying. I think the people likes that.
Q. One of the people who admires you most is Roger Federer. He was just here speaking about you. You get to play him now. You had one of your greatest moments ever tonight, but your greatest was against him. What do you think of the match that's coming up?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, of course, I admire him, too. Everybody loves him. Is going to be interesting match for play. It will be after eight years again in the central court of this tournament. I know how to play if I want to win, but I will see how physically I feel after this battle.
But always is a pleasure to play the greatest guy on the history.
Q. Did you come close to not competing in that match? How confident are you that you'll be able to recover?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yes, I was thinking to retire in the middle of the second set because I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move well. Dominic was dominating the match so easy.
But then when we start the third set, I broke his serve very quick, and then I won the set in 20 minutes. Then the history change a lot. I starting to see the crowd. I took all the energy from the fans. That's what I did in the end, just keep fighting. I don't give ups any points from the third until the fifth set.
I was ready to win the match in that moment.
Q. What kind of medical treatment did you receive after the match? How are you feeling now?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I feel tired. But we cannot do magic, you know. Just massage, some physical movement with the trainer.
But hopefully my day off tomorrow I can recovery a little bit more. Then I will see if I'm ready to play in good conditions against Roger.
Q. You have a big forehand, big game, yet you're really not an intimidating person. You seem like a gentle guy. Do you think this has something to do with your popularity, the way you connect with people?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yes, maybe. I know the people likes when I hit hard with my forehands. The people stand up from the chairs when I hit good winners. I like to do that. But it doesn't happen very often. When I feel that confidence to do my best shots, I know I can be dangerous for all the guys.
Q. Can you talk about your approach when it comes to challenging the call.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah, I had one more challenge anyway, so I took the challenge for sure because I saw the ball clearly out. But the chair umpire say the ball was in. Then after watching him, I confused a little bit. I was scared for that ball.
But I got lucky, the ball was out, and I won the match.
Q. Satisfaction when you won Davis Cup in Croatia. Today the crowd. The Olympic Games when you beat Djokovic. What is better? How can you compare?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: No, I cannot compare that matches. All the matches were epic. I will remember all matches, for sure.

“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”

"When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what's harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV."

Argentine has won past two meetings against Rafa
Juan Martin del Potro has continued his fairy tale run at the US Open, repeating his 2009 final victory over Roger Federer to set a semi-final showdown with World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. The 6’ 6” Argentine, who in the previous round rallied from two sets and two match points down to beat Dominic Thiem, defeated five-time champion Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(8) 6-4. Del Potro saved four set points in the pivotal third-set tie-break.
"I played my best match of the tournament," del Potro told ESPN during his on-court interview, in between soccer-like celebrations and chants from Argentine fans.
“I served well and hit my forehand as hard as I can. We played a great match and I think I deserved to win in the end.” Asked about the vociferous crowd support, del Potro said, “I think it’s my home court. You make me so happy every time I play here. I love to see the crowd chanting for me.
"I can't believe I will play in the semi-finals again after all my injuries, after all my surgeries. Especially to play here in New York, my favourite tournament."
Although Nadal leads the FedEx ATP head2head series 8-5 against del Potro, the Argentine has won their past two meetings and in 2009 he dismissed the Spaniard 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the US Open semi-finals.
Wednesday's result denied Federer a shot at Nadal in the semi-finals in a match that would have given him the chance to dethrone the Spaniard as World No. 1 and the opportunity to win a 20th Grand Slam title after earlier triumphs this year at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Federer, who last won the US Open in 2008, has never played Nadal at Flushing Meadows.
Federer praised del Potro and said that he deserved the victory. “He came up with the goods when he needed to and I helped him a little bit sometimes too maybe. But he was better today, especially on the big points… In some ways I'm actually happy I made the quarters, so I'm not disappointed, because it's been a good run this year already. Unfortunately I ran into a guy who was better than me today."
Federer said that he was disappointed he could not produce his best tennis during the Open but that he was not consumed by the missed opportunity to play for the World No. 1 title in the semis against Nadal.
“I didn't even think about it, as I lost that match, that [a semi-final with Nadal] is not going to happen. I'm dealing with just trying to understand what happened and just to overcome this in the next few hours, days, weeks.
“Of course it is a pity, but Juan Martin deserves it more. I feel I have no place in the semis and he will have a better chance to beat Rafa, to be honest. The way I played or [am] playing right now, it's not good enough in my opinion to win this tournament. It's better I'm out and somebody else gets a chance to do better than me.”
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With boisterous Flushing Meadows crowd support equally split between two of the game's most popular players, del Potro brought his A-game, underpinned by his booming serve and forehand, which had Federer on the defensive early. Del Potro's forehand was overpowering throughout and his two-handed backhand, as the match wore on, looked its strongest since his return from wrist surgery.
Del Potro also looked much healthier than he did two days ago in the fourth round, when, suffering from flu-like symptoms, he eked out just three games in the first two sets against Thiem. And just as raucous support inspired him to victory against the Austrian, so too did passionate fans boost del Potro against Federer, who so rarely shares crowd support with his opponent.
HOW THE MATCH PLAYED OUT
Both players exposed their pre-match game plans from the outset. Del Potro clubbed a massive down-the-line forehand winner past an approaching Federer on the second point of the match. He also hit forehands about 75 per cent of times after a serve.
The Swiss hit three drop shots in the first eight points in an attempt to test the legs of del Potro following his grueling five-set win two days earlier against Thiem.
Perhaps unsettled by a 100 mph forehand winner that clipped the baseline on the previous point, Federer double faulted at 5-5 30/30 to concede the first break point of the first set. A tentative Federer forehand volley set up a trademark running del Potro crosscourt forehand that clinched the break and a 6-5 lead for the 6’ 6” Argentine.
Showing no sign of nerves, Del Potro put four of five first serves into play when serving for the set, on pace with the astonishing 78 first-serve percentage in the set (25/32).
Federer had success at key moments in the second set bringing del Potro forward with his short, chip sliced backhand, including to convert break point for a 4-1 lead. He also had more success finding the Argentine's backhand, setting up an inside-out forehand winner on set point to level the match. Del Potro also paid the price for seeing his first-serve percentage drop to 57.
But Federer immediately handed back the momentum, hitting two unforced forehand errors and a double fault on break point to drop his opening service game of the third set. Del Potro also rediscovered the key to his first-set success, putting 10 of 11 first serves into play while racing to a 3-0 lead.
The five-time US Open champion would not go away, however. Although he continued to be plagued by netted forehand errors, Federer hung tough, fighting off a break point to avoid slipping into an 0-4 abyss. After stretching del Potro from side to side to earn a break chance at 2-4 30/40, he saw the first sign of vulnerability from the Tandil native, who double faulted to hand back the break.
In the third-set tie-break, Federer was left ruing a decision to serve wide to del Potro’s forehand in the deuce court when holding two set points at 6/4. Del Potro belted a flat forehand that landed on the inside of the baseline, leaving Federer with no hope of returning it. It was the first of four set points that the Swiss could not convert in the tie-break. Del Potro converted his first set point when Federer, serve/volleying for the third consecutive time, pushed a backhand volley long.
In the fourth set, two critical moments allowed del Potro to bust open the match. At 2-2 30-all, Federer dumped a routine smash into the net. On break point, del Potro rifled a cross-court backhand winner off a Federer first-serve past the incoming Swiss for a clean winner. From there, del Potro's overwhelming serve didn't allow Federer back into the match.
Del Potro and Nadal will meet Friday, with the winner to play in Sunday's final against the winner of the bottom-half semi-final between Pablo Carreno Busta and Kevin Anderson, who are both seeking their first Grand Slam final appearance.

Q. How bad was the worst you felt a couple of days ago and how were you able to, tonight, beat Roger Federer?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I think I recovering well. I did what the doctor says, all the treatments, and tonight I play just free. I don't have nothing to lose against Federer, so I did my best game of the tournament tonight. I play very smart game during the whole match.
Is so important to me beating him another time in this amazing tournament.
Q. Was it more difficult tonight or two days ago against Thiem?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: No. To compare the tennis game, tonight was really tough match, but the other day I felt so bad. My physic doesn't want to fight a lot. Of course I beating Thiem, then beat Nadal means a lot to me. Hopefully I can be ready for Rafa.
Q. You won a slam here and then you had a terrific run this year with the crowd really behind you. Could you talk a little bit about your love of this tournament and what's special about it to you?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah. It's amazing to see the crowd like this. Against Federer is not easy to show the fans love. You know, he's local around the world, around every tournament. Tonight people want to see a great tennis match. The people wants to win both, both player, I think.
To me, it's great after all my wrist problems, come back and see how much the loves from the fans comes to me is great.
Q. Your backhand seems to be getting stronger match by match. Your backhand seems to be as confident as I have seen it in the past and setting up a lot of those opportunities. How are you feeling about the backhand?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I'm feeling good. I think my backhand is improving every week.
Tonight I made my best backhands on the tournament in the important moments of the match, and it was in the set point of the third set, and then to break his serve in the fourth, and I hit my best backhand on the tournament tonight, which is a good signal for the future.
Q. What kind of physical and mental tools does it take to get this far in the tournament and eventually hold the trophy?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, now is still a harder match after tomorrow. Physically I'm not in the perfect conditions, but when you play semifinals on the Grand Slam, everything can happen. So you must be ready for the chance and playing against Rafa in my favorite tournament, I will try to enjoy the atmosphere, the game, and I know if I play my best tennis, I could be a danger for him.
Q. You started speaking about Rafa. How would you describe the history that you have with him and your feelings about him?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, after tomorrow is gonna be a different match than the past. He's the No. 1 player of the world, and he's playing so confident this tournament.
He's a lefty guy, so he has chance to find easily my backhand. So I don't know what's gonna be my strategy for that match. But for sure I will try to make winners with my forehands and don't run too much, because my legs are tired (smiling).
But will be interesting match to play.
Q. Personally, how do you feel about him?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, I'm glad for him, because he deserve to be the No. 1 in the world. Personally, I like to play against him when I'm in good conditions. But it's not the case at this moment, so I will see what happen.
Q. As you were saying about not feeling as if you were in the best conditions and your physicality being a question, but when you are on that court, it's an entirely different look. What sort of factor, how much of a factor is the crowd?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah, because when I get into the court and I saw Roger playing the biggest stadium of the tour in my favorite tournament, is like pleasure for me to be there. So I try to play tennis and enjoy the tennis moment, and doesn't matter how bad I feel before the match.
After tomorrow, against Rafa, it's going to be the same. I will have the chance to play against him semifinals in my best tournament and I just trying to think about tennis. And that's it.
Q. You are the only player now to beat Roger Federer at the US Open, outdoor and indoor. Close matches. Would you compare to setup of conditions? What is the difference from the technical side?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, I think the indoors conditions are perfect. You don't have wind, sun, anything. And I remember our matches in Basel, and I played great against him in the finals. I think tonight I serve almost perfect during the whole match.
If I have to take any surface or any conditions, maybe I will take indoors again.

“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”

"When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what's harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV."

It was a heroic fortnight for Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open. But the 2009 champion saw his fairytale run come to an end on Friday evening at Flushing Meadows, succumbing to Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals.
Del Potro started strong, launching his forehand and backhand to claim the opener after 50 minutes. Despite being overcome by fatigue, the Argentine gave full credit to his opponent, as Nadal seized the initiative with an aggressive mindset in the second, third and fourth sets.
"Today I think he had the game to win, to beat me, and to win the tournament," del Potro told the assembled media following the match. "He played very smart from the second until the end of the match, because I was just standing all the time on my left side and once he played down the line, he won the point.
"I think at the beginning of the match, he was playing all the time to my backhand, trying to see how good is my backhand at this moment. It was good, but it wasn't good enough to play a four-set, five-set match. And I couldn't make any winners in the match, which you must do a lot of winners against Rafa."

Del Potro inspired the tennis world at the US Open. The Tandil native went from being on the verge of falling over while struggling with the flu and a fever against Dominic Thiem in the Round of 16, to stunning Roger Federer two days later. He fought off two match points to defeat Thiem, storming back from 1-6, 2-6 down, before stopping a highly anticipated Nadal-Federer semi-final with an upset of the Swiss on Wednesday.
After four wrist surgeries, del Potro showed the heart that endeared him to a legion of fans throughout his career. It was his first appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2013.
"I'm just tired. I've been exhausted after the Thiem match and the Roger match. I had a flu during the week. So I had many problems before this match, but I was very motivated to play the semi-final in my best tournament. I think he just played better than me. He deserved to win and I did all my best, all my effort to survive this match, but I couldn't do well."
On Monday, del Potro will return to the Top 25 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time since October 2014. Projected to move to No. 24, the top Argentine was appearing in his second tour-level semi-final of the year (Delray Beach).

“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”

"When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what's harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV."

Q. Such a big turnaround, first set, changed the momentum. If you can just comment on what happened.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Well, nothing special happens. Rafa just play even better the last three sets of the match, and I couldn't hit my backhand as good as I did in the beginning of the match.
He's a lefty player, so he couldn't find easily my left side of the game. He played so smart from the second set till the end of the match.
He was dominates every time of the match. He played well.
Q. Have you seen him -- has he ever dominated in a match like this with you before? What was your condition emotionally after this ten days?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: No, I think it was the first time to be dominate for him, but it's the first time we play without a good backhand on my side, you know. But anyways, he played so smart the second set, the third, and the fourth.
To be honest, I'm angry to lose a chance like this, but maybe tomorrow, after tomorrow, I will be calm and see how big the tournament was for me.
Q. Did you ever get a sense that your backhand came back during this tournament? I know early on you have been a little critical how you felt about it. As you went to the semifinals, did you feel better about your backhand?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I feel better with my backhand, but it's not good enough to win a title like this or to win the top guys in a row. Depends of their game, too, because against Rafa, you must hit winners from both sides. I didn't tonight. He played maybe 80% of the game to my backhand, and there is an advantage for him.
Q. After you win the first set 6-4, did you feel mentally like you had control of the match? And at what point did you feel that you lost control of the match? Because after that 6-4 first set that you had, Rafa proceeded to win the next nine games.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I think I never had the control of the match. I just have lucky to broke his serves with the net point.
He was playing me all the time to my backhand. When you don't have that confidence to play three, four hours with a good backhand against Rafa, is just matter of time to get down your game.
But also, he improve very much his game after the second set, and his balls come too fast from both sides.
He deserve to win, for sure.
Q. On the court, Rafa Nadal said he played much more on the backhand on the first set than after, because after, he was trying to move you more. Do you think your backhand is more a mental problem than a physical one? Because you were playing unbelievable good backhands in the first set.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: No, but -- when I say he played very smart from the second till the end of the match, because I was just standing all the time in my left side, and once he plays down the line, he won the point.
I think at the beginning of the match, he was playing all the time to my backhand, trying to see how good is my backhand at this moment.
It was good, but it wasn't good enough to play four-set, five-set match. And I couldn't make any winner in the match, which you must do a lot of winners against Rafa.
I think he has today the game to win, to beat me, and to win the tournament.
Q. In all the years that you've seen and played against Rafa, how would you describe the way he is playing now and the confidence that he seems to be playing with?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: I think he's playing much better. He's improved his backhand, too, and he serves good.
I think -- well, he's the No. 1 of the world. He's winning many tournaments this year.
I don't know if, in the future, I can beat him again, but is just matter of time if I can get my old backhand one day or not, but I will try to change the games if I have the chance to play against him again.
Q. Last time, I asked you, your hesitation with answering this guy, to become new ATP logo?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: If they pay me (smiling). No?
Q. You had two grueling matches before you faced Rafa. I'm just wondering, did you feel 100% of where you started the match tonight physically?
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah, I just tired. I been exhausted after Thiem match, Roger match. I had flu during the week. So I had many problems before this match, but I was very motivate to play the semifinal in my best tournament.
I think he just play better than me. He deserve to win, and I did all my best, all my effort to survive this match, but I couldn't do well.

“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”

"When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what's harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV."

Argentine shares his best win on the court, and his best Masters 1000 moment off the court
Juan Martin del Potro has three times come within a match of winning his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. The likeable Argentine reached the final at 2009 Coupe Rogers, 2013 BNP Paribas Open and 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters.
He spoke to ATPWorldTour.com about his favourite Masters 1000 tournament, the time he met the Pope in Rome and which Masters 1000 event he'd like to win the most.
Which Masters 1000 host city is your favourite and why?
I like the Shanghai Rolex Masters. It's pretty far but I think it's a great tournament. The stadium is different and great. The food is amazing. We have great facilities, and I always like to play in Shanghai.
You reached the 2013 final there. Is that also why it's your favourite?
It could be because I play good tennis always when I have the chance to play the tournament. I like the surface. I like to be discovering something new in the city. I have some Chinese friends, too, so I like the tournament.
Which Masters 1000 title would you most want to win and why?
I was close to winning Montreal a long time ago (2009). But I would love to win Miami because it's more like playing in my home country, and many South American people live there. And I have a big number of fans cheering for me during the whole tournament. So I would love to win that tournament one day.
Del Potro
What do you consider to be your best Masters 1000 win?
I think against Nadal in Miami in 2009. I beat him in the quarter-finals, 7-6 in the third. And the crowd was completely full, and it was an exciting match.
What's your favourite off-court memory at a Masters 1000?
When I met the Pope (Francis) of Argentina in Rome. That was great.
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What do you consider the toughest aspect of Masters 1000 tournaments?
The draw. All of the players are so good, and from the first round until the end, all the matches are difficult to play. I never have a good draw in the Masters 1000s. It's a really big challenge to play the Masters 1000s.

Argentine's late decision to play gives fans hard-fought semi-final
Considering there were concerns he might not even be able to take the court against Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro gave the fans a semi-final to savour at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Saturday.
After his three-set victory over Viktor Troicki in the quarter-finals, del Potro’s communications manager, Jorge Viale, posted on Twitter that the Argentine had his wrist in a splint and would decide on Saturday morning if he could play against Federer. While not a serious injury, del Potro had suffered a wrist contusion.
But play he did and the Tandil native had Federer in all sorts of trouble as he took the first set against the Swiss. The tide turned when Federer broke in the sixth game of the second set, converting his fifth break point. The World No. 2 would go on to win the match, with del Potro crediting the Swiss’ aggressiveness and improved serving as the deciding factor.
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“He took the confidence after that game,” reflected del Potro. “He broke me and he started to play more aggressive. He served much better after that game. I think he beat me in a good way. He played better in just couple of moments in both sets, and that was the only reason for my loss.”
Del Potro admitted he only decided when warming up for the match that he would play, having been advised it would not risk his wrist.
“I have been playing good tennis this week, but I felt good during the warm-up before the match, and I decided to play, because against Roger always is an honour to play,” said del Potro. “The court was really fast, so maybe that would help my game.
“I think I did well, but Roger played much better than me some moments of the match, and he took the chances. It’s very painful now after the match. After a big effort is the worst moment for my wrist.
“Now I have few days to take a rest. If, in these days I feel better to compete 100 per cent during the whole tournament, I will continue with my schedule.”
Moving on, Federer will play Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster final at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. In what will be their 48th meeting, del Potro thinks Nadal is the only player capable of beating Federer in this form on the fast Shanghai courts.
“I think the court helps [Federer's] game a lot, and he always is in good shape,” said del Potro. “He looks like an unbelievable athlete. I think on this court not many players can beat him. Maybe Rafa tomorrow, but if not, he's the only one who can play an excellent tennis on this faster surface.
“Rafa is playing so good, but I think Roger could win if he feels the ball really, really well. Because the court is so fast, and for the game of Roger it is much better than Rafa's game, but Rafa is a fighter and he never gives up. It will be interesting to watch.”

“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”

"When these kind of matches happen you suffer, but I really enjoy these moments. I really enjoy suffering, because what's harder is when I am in Mallorca last year and I had to watch these kind of matches on the TV."

The Argentine climbs to 14th in the Emirates ATP Race To London
The “Tower of Tandil” is rising toward the top of the tennis world again.
Fourth seed Juan Martin del Potro defended his Intrum Stockholm Open title on Sunday, defeating top seed and 2013 champion Grigor Dimitrov, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour, 23 minutes. It is the Argentine’s first title since he lifted the trophy in Sweden last year.
“I played the best match of the week against Grigor today. Unlucky for that, sorry Grigor,” del Potro said. “It’s amazing to come back and hold this big trophy. And hopefully I can come next year as well. I love to be in Stockholm. I like the city a lot. I like the Swedish people and you treated me very, very good this week and I would like to thank everyone.”
Not only did del Potro capture his 20th ATP World Tour title, but he launched himself into contention in the Emirates ATP Race To London. The 29-year-old will move up to 14th in the Race with 2,135 points, 470 points behind Pablo Carreno Busta, who currently occupies the final qualifying spot. The Argentine also has his eyes set on the possibilities for him in the future.
"I’m still going up in the [Emirates ATP] Rankings. I’m already in the Top 20 and I don’t have too many points to defend next season. Could get close to the Top 10 guys," del Potro said. "[It] could be a dream after all my problems with the wrist. To reach that ranking, that number again, would be fantastic for me. But I’m very calm. I’d like to stay in good shape, keep healthy and keep playing tennis."
Del Potro dominated the final with his serve, notching nine aces and saving all four break points he faced. He earned a double-break lead in the second set while returning up 4-2, as Dimitrov launched a forehand approach shot long to virtually put the match out of reach. Fittingly enough, del Potro ended the championship with a big serve in the deuce court down the middle, eliciting an error from his opponent. When the ball landed in the net, del Potro's arms rose straight toward the ceiling in celebration.
The Argentine extended his FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead against the Bulgarian to 6-2, despite losing their past two matches, both this year, in straight sets.
It was still a strong effort for Dimitrov in Stockholm. Dimitrov is fifth in the Race standings, next in line to qualify for London with 3,560 points, nearing his first appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals.
“I couldn’t have lost to a better gentleman on and off the court. Juan, congrats...you’ve been playing great the whole year, quite a few battles and wishing you the best of luck for the rest of the season,” Dimitrov said. “Unfortunately I couldn’t bring a lot more fight today. But again, Juan totally deserved it.”
Del Potro earned 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points along with €105,045 for his efforts, while Dimitrov added 150 points to his tally and pocketed €55,325.

Juan Martin del Potro will climb into the final London qualifying spot with a win on Sunday
Before the US Open, Juan Martin del Potro was 47th in the Emirates ATP Race To London. The only place it appeared the Argentine would get to see the Nitto ATP Finals action would be from home.
But after defeating defending champion Marin Cilic, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour, 37 minutes in the semi-finals of the Swiss Indoors Basel, del Potro moved to within one match of putting himself in the final qualifying spot for the year-end finale with just one tournament remaining, at the Rolex Paris Masters next week.

"I played a good match, but always to beat Cilic you must play at a high level," del Potro said. "I'm happy that I did well and reached another final here in Basel."
If del Potro can earn his third Basel title (2012, 2013) on Sunday, he will pass Pablo Carreno Busta, who currently occupies the final spot, in the Race.
Del Potro has played some of the best tennis of anyone on the ATP World Tour lately, advancing to the semi-finals of the US Open (l. Nadal) and the Shanghai Rolex Masters (l. Federer), defending his title at the Intrum Stockholm Open (d. Dimitrov) and now reaching the Swiss Indoors Basel final for the first time since 2013.
Saturday’s victory was his seventh in a row against Cilic, extending his lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series to 10-2. He has also won 17 of their past 19 sets.
And while Cilic is at a career-high of No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, he never truly found his rhythm against the in-form del Potro. The Croatian made an abundance of errors to dig himself a hole that he could not fight his way out of. After early breaks by both in the opening set, del Potro drilled a backhand return on his third break point at 4-4 to gain the advantage, and he would hold to clinch the set. Del Potro then broke immediately in the second set as he looked to storm into the final. But Cilic started to find his range off the baseline, breaking back for 3-3. However, the momentum did not last as he immediately earned his break back, and held out from there to clinch the win.
"I think I will be in good shape for tomorrow," del Potro said. "I'm so excited to play the final."
The Argentine will play seven-time Basel champion Roger Federer, who cruised past third seed David Goffin, 6-1, 6-2, in the semi-finals. Del Potro trails Federer 6-17 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry. And while the Swiss has captured four of their past five matches, the 29-year-old ousted Federer in the quarter-finals of this year’s US Open.
"For me it's going to be a great challenge and also a great pleasure to play against Roger again in his hometown," del Potro said. "It will be a great atmosphere, and I will enjoy it a lot."